amanda mcclements

When fans of mixologist Gina Chersevani (and there are many) found out she was no longer behind the bar at Rasika , they were none too happy and very vocal about it . They should be pleased to hear that she has found a new platform for her clever concoctions. She's been snagged by the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which includes EatBar , Tallula , Rustico , Vermilion and Evening Star Cafe . For now, look for her mixing things up at Arlington's EatBar. She plans to make appearances at most of the group's restaurants, and she'll be the creative force behind the cocktail program.

I love sparkling water. But now that bottled water has been denounced as decidedly eco-unfriendly, I feel guilty every time I order it, imagining the green police tsking over my shoulder. Thanks to progressive minds at local restaurants, I can now have my bubbles guilt-free. I first spotted AquaHealth's house-filtered sparkling water at Poste (pictured above). The latest spot to offer the elegant refillable bottles? The brand new (and piping hot) Cork Wine Bar . (They're also serving my new favorite fries, liberally sprinkled with an addictive mix of lemon zest, parsley and salt.) The AquaHealth system allows restaurants to filter water on-site, add optional carbonation and pour it into reusable glass bottles. Spotted AquaHealth anywhere else around town?

Who's the next celebrity chef rumored to be staking his claim on our piping hot DC turf? I'll give you a hint: his name rhymes with Bordon Tamsay. Read Todd Kliman's post at Washingtonian.com for the rumor report. Will it happen? We shall see. But the UK chef in question isn't the only big name that gourmet gossips are whispering about ...

Bored by last night's State of the Union and looking for something a little more potent? With crafty cocktails popping up with greater frequency (and mixologists moving all over town), I got to wondering about the state of the cocktail in DC. One thing is certain here, as in other major cities: Interest in the art of the cocktail is hitting a serious high. But are we keeping up with cutting edge trends? And when it comes to what's in our glasses, how far have we come and where are we headed? For insight, I turned to a trusted source, Komi 's Derek Brown, for a check-up on the DC area's cocktail craft. First up, check out my list of the top cocktail talents shaking up the scene, compiled with input from Brown. Next, an admission. Brown tells Metrocurean that the best cocktail he had last year was made at PDT in Manhattan. "It's called the Silver Lily and is a riff on the Violet Fizz sans soda — Plymouth Gin, Creme de Violette, Cointreau, egg whites and lemon...

Today's Five Bites come from Sarah Meyer Walsh (at right), aka The District Domestic . 1. Caesar salad at Pasta Mia 2. Blue marlin carpaccio at BlackSalt 3. Texas scramble at Chef Geoff’s 4. Papas a mole at Oyamel 5. Crab and artichoke dip at The Tombs Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you're enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Did you know a bartender can get thrown in jail for serving sangria in Virginia? A Washington Post story today reports that the Virginia General Assembly is reconsidering one of the state's royally dumb alcohol laws that makes serving sangria illegal. Get this: "Violating the sangria code is a misdemeanor, punishable by a $2,500 fine or 12 months in jail," the story reports. I imagine that's not an offense you go advertising around the jailyard. The same law makes one of my favorite pre-dinner drinks, the lovely kir royal, illegal in Virginia, as well. The Virginia outposts of La Tasca (which has appealed a $2,000 sangria fine) and Jaleo have been affected by silly, out-dated regulations, as was Rustico last summer when chef Frank Morales cooked up some beer pops deemed seriously threatening by authorities. (Counter Intelligence helped put that story on the map .) Anyone who's tried to ship wine home from out of state knows the hassles the long arm of the law...

ZagatBuzz has a nice photo up of Meridian , a new restaurant slated to open this weekend at 5832 Georgia Ave. NW. On the menu: a fusion of Southern, Caribbean, Creole and low country cuisine. Plans also include weekend brunch.

I miss the fireplace in my old living room so much it hurts. Particularly in my toes, which get really cold when the lame forced air heat in my place shuts off. So I have to look elsewhere for my flame fix. By far my favorite fireplace in the city is the one in the Tabard Inn 's sitting room. When it comes to old school romance, you can't beat 1789 's main dining room, with a crackling fire (pictured above). Sonoma 's upstairs lounge is another favorite of mine. The most stylish fireplace in town has to be Oya 's. The long line of fire, inset in a giant white marble wall, may be more for show than actual warmth, but you still get a cozy vibe seated near it. Where are your favorite restaurant fireplaces? (1789 photo by Ron Blunt.)

Today's Five Bites come from Sara Damelio (at right), the creator of skincando , a line of organic, handmade skincare products. Her Combat-Ready Balm is a favorite of troops overseas. 1. Crispy panko chicken with lemongrass jasmine rice pilaf at the now-closed Asia Nora 2. Bacon cheeseburger (medium rare) and fries at Central 3. Demayo chocolate cake with coconut sorbet at Palena 4. Lobster risotto at Teatro Goldoni 5. Chicken kapow at Ruan Thai Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you're enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Let Ruth Gresser (above) of Pizzeria Paradiso show you how to make pizza . Acadiana 's Chris Clime walks you through a recipe for Louisiana barbecue shrimp , and Hook 's Barton Seaver will give you a lesson in pan-searing striped bass . The videos are all part of MonkeySee , a new web site chock full of how-to videos. A number of DC chefs are featured in the Food and Drink section of the site. To point out a few more videos of note, Mike Isabella from Zaytinya demonstrates spanakopita , and a no-bake cheesecake is offered up by David Guas, who now runs DamGoodSweet Consulting and was formerly the executive pastry chef for DC Coast , TenPenh , Ceiba and Acadiana . A great recipe for roast chicken comes from Shannon Overmiller of The Majestic . Check it out. You may learn a thing or two.

To think I got excited when I saw a sign announcing Comet would open at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Well, they've upped the ante, and the ping-pong pizza haunt will now open at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays for the whole day. Co-owner and host extraordinaire James Alefantis promises spicy bloody marys, mimosas and beer specials. On the food front, additions to the pie repertoire include housemade meatballs on fresh baked sub rolls and a pizza topped with applewood smoked bacon, fried potato pancake, white cheddar and two eggs — just the right combo of protein and carbs to sustain a rousing game of pong.

It's a tough break when a new restaurant loses its head chef soon after opening. And so it was with Mio , the sleek restaurant that opened on Vermont Avenue in May. Executive chef JohnPaul Damato, who had previously overseen all three Jaleos , parted ways with Mio just weeks after the doors opened. But the restaurant hopes to get back on the culinary map with the appointment of new head chef Stefano Frigerio (pictured above). He brings impressive kitchen cred to his new roost, having been the second in command at Tysons Corner's acclaimed Maestro . Frigerio worked as award-winning chef Fabio Trabocchi's right-hand man at Maestro for five years, after opening two restaurants with him in London. (Trabocchi is now charming Manhattanites at Fiamma . Maestro is currently closed and searching for a chef.) Frigerio, who was born in a small village in Northern Italy, is putting a personal touch on the menu with entrées like slow-braised pheasant with parmesan, roasted pumpkin an...

Today's Five Bites comes from Alex Chase, who loves finding "exotic and hidden secrets," in this case P Street's Marrakesh Palace . 1. Beef cigars (filo dough stuffed with ground beef and Moroccan spices) 2. Shrimp mezza (grilled shrimp skewer marinated in homemade preserved garlic lemon sauce) 3. Mussels Essaouira city style, sauteed in chermoula sauce 4. Grilled lamb sausage, marinated in Moroccan herbs, diced tomatoes and red onions in vinaigrette 5. Shrimp kabob with fresh sea scallops and daily fish special Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you're enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Do you BYOB — bring your own bag — when you go to the store or farmers market? If you're looking for reusable bags that make a statement, Bon Appetit's blog points out BYOB , a Canadian company producing a sharp collection of eco and fashion conscious totes. I like their not-so-subtle " Cheeky " bag, pictured above (about $30). Last summer, the craze over designer Anya Hindmarch's I'm Not A Plastic Bag helped put the plastic bag problem on the map. I've acquired a collection of freebie reusable bags from spots like the Garden District (with a purchase) and Whole Foods (always available to purchase), and I use paper grocery bags to put out the recycling at home. What's your preference? Paper, reusable or *gasp* plastic?

If you follow the food scene in DC, you've probably heard about the perky chocolate shop that recently opened at 1529 14th St. NW (pictured). Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections — aka ACKC (just in case you haven't had your RDA of acronyms) — serves multiple roles in the neighborhood. Stop in to shop for a box of chocolates, novelty cocoa gifts or a potted orchid. Or have a seat for a cup of hot chocolate or espresso. "It’s kind of an alternative to the coffee bar,” co-owner Rob Kingsbury told me last summer. One of the biggest draws is the customizable hot chocolate menu. Pick your milk (whole, skim, etc.), your infusion (like lavender and orange) and the type of chocolate or go for one of the suggested creations, all named for lovely ladies of the screen and stage (Joan, Audrey, Marilyn, Liz, etc.). I'm currently having a love affair with Lucy, a (literally) hot little number infused with a spicy hit of chipotle pepper and topped with whipped cream and a gen...

While Maestro continues to search for a head chef to replace Fabio Trabocchi, fans should be pleased to hear that its talented sommelier, Vincent Feraud (pictured), is opening up the restaurant's impressive wine cellar for a series of monthly classes. Feraud will host four themed classes at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner restaurant beginning Jan. 24. Topics include the best of Tuscany (April 17) and why Champagne isn't just for special occasions (Feb. 21) — a philosophy I live by. The hotel's executive chef, Gael Cruchet, will create food pairings for each tasting. Check out the Ritz's calendar for a full schedule, and call 703.917.5498 for reservations. Classes are $80, or the entire series may be purchased for $250.

Spend all your money on holiday gifts and New Year's bubbly? If you have an oyster obsession like me, you'll be glad to know that Hank's Oyster Bar just brought back its popular $1 oyster happy hour. From 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, several types of oysters are available for $1 apiece at both the Dupont and Old Town locations. (Note that Hank's in Old Town is closed Mondays.) If you go, don't miss the fantastic lobster roll.

Metrocurean friend Robert Crawford offers a tasty list to kick off a new year of Five Bites. 1. Any of the pizzas at Comet (at right) 2. Crispy pork with lemongrass and chili paste at Simply Home 3. Nora’s tasting menu at Restaurant Nora , especially the crab salad and lamb 4. Wild boar chop with red mole and bacon salsa at New Heights 5. Coq au vin with the Floris “Pomme” beer at Brasserie Beck Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you're enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Neighbors and food lovers alike are buzzing with the sad news that 14th Street's Viridian has closed. A sign outside the door announces the closure and thanks patrons for their support. What's too bad is that just last week, I added the restaurant to my list of places I'm currently eating. I wrote: "After one too many changes early on (chef shuffling, shifting menu focus) and inconsistent service, I had sort of written Viridian off. I'm glad to say I've had some delicious meals there recently, as well as some nicely crafted cocktails. Chef Michael Hartzer, formerly of Citronelle and Ray's the Classics , took over in early 2007, and I'm glad he stuck around. An attractive new partition in the back makes the dining room less vacuous and creates a nice private dining nook." Oh well. I'll be listening out for where Hartzer heads next and hoping the space (one of the closest restaurants to Metrocurean headquarters) doesn't stay empty for lon...

Don't forget to check the DC Restaurant Watch and Metrocurean's Black Book in the left column for regular updates. Openings to look forward to in the next month or so include Cork (mid January) with former CityZen sous chef Ron Tanaka, Sei and Asia Nine .